DISQUS

laffingboi · 1 year ago

Given what you want to accomplish with this blog, actions that cause communication between two people to be terminated are, as they say in the Councils, anathema. Your conversation with Dan presents us with a case study. If you and Dan could have a 'do-over' conversation, what should he have said (since he was clearly in the wrong) in reply to your question that would have allowed for a better outcome?

P.S. What's the "Verify my post" checkbox supposed to do?

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

Verify my post shows up if you don't have a Disqus account or if you aren't signed in.

Dan's response to me proved that talking to him was like talking to a brick wall. He had no reason to call me a liar. He could have said anything, but that. I wouldn't attack his character, but he continual attacked the character of all atheists, sure he used scripture to do it, but a character attack is a character attack and has no lace in a real discussion.

laffingboi · 1 year ago

Talking to a brick wall is no good, that's for sure.

He had *no* reason? Did he really give no reason at all or did he just not give an adequate one in your estimation.

For the sake of argument, what if, according to Dan's POV, you actually *are* lying (he might even acknowledge that you don't *think* you are) - and (let's assume) he had a *reason* for saying so. In *that* case, should he lie to you (since you asked, right?) about whether or not he thinks *you're* lying? What is more important, honesty (true or not) or congeniality?

What if he said that you were mistaken in saying that you didn't believe in God instead of saying that you were lying? Would that have been acceptable?


I hope you're doing well. Sorry for all the *. Can I italicize somehow?

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

His exact response was "In a word...No." He did not elaborate. His response to most if not all atheists amounted to "You're an evil atheist" then he would generally repeat whatever point he made or defend it badly.

The reason I asked him if he thought I was lying is that everything he wrote sounded like he thought I believed in God the father and Jesus and was just lying.

I would have had no problem with him saying he thought I was mistaken or that I was suppressing my belief on God.

I'm glad he told me he thought I was lying, because that told me quite a bit about him. It showed me that he didn't see people, just believers and non-believers.

I would define a character attack as accusing someone of something that calls their character into question. I.e. accusing them of lying, stealing, etc.

I'm going to test using "<>" with an "I" in the middle for italicizing. Here goes nothing! Italicize!

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

Ok, so standard HTML formatting seems to work.

Look here for some exampes: HTML Text Formatting

Dan · 1 year ago

In my defense I said

"You call it being a liar, I call it being in denial"

We are in denial if we believe there is NO God IMHO.

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

Here is the transcript:

"Mike aka MonolithTMA has left a new comment on the post "Have you put Jesus on like a parachute?":

Let me ask you one question Dan. Do think I'm telling the truth when i say I don't believe God exists? "

"Dan has left a new comment on the post "Have you put Jesus on like a parachute?":

In a word...No"

It was after your last statement that I stopped reading your blog, and unsubscribed from comments, so I have no idea what you said afterward.

Dan · 1 year ago

So then you were quick to judge and not give me the benefit of doubt, I forgive you.

We had a long relationship and you just bailed on me without giving me a chance to explain myself. I understand how God feels now.

so I have no idea what you said afterward.

So now you know, does it matter?

Dan · 1 year ago

My follow up comment was made HERE

If it matters at all to you. Sorry I am fallible and very capable of making mistakes. I thought you were thicker then that. Why didn't you give me a chance? Were you were looking for an excuse to bail, like God?

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

There you go again, implying that I chose to bail on God. I could tell you a thousand times that I did not bail on God, that I simply stopped believing in God, and you would still say I bailed.

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

As I said in another comment, your statement that I was lying meant that you had prejudged me despite all that I had told you. Talking to you was like talking to a brick wall.

Dan · 1 year ago

I did not bail on God, that I simply stopped believing in God,

You don't see the similarities? You stop believing in me also, or one could say you bailed. Running away and burring your head is never a good way to address an issue.

God's Word simply declares that this is God's plan of salvation; 1. Hear the WORD of God. 2. Believe that Jesus is the Messiah. 3. Repent of your ways that are contrary to God's will. 4. Be Baptized INTO Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 5. Remain faithful to the Covenant you have made with God.

You broke your covenant with God you stopped step 5. There is still time to apologize though. He is still there. By turning your back to Him doesn't make Him go away. Face your problems, be a man. Do you have children? If your child makes a mistake would you turn your back on them like you did to me and God? I am starting to see the pattern here, don't you?

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

Yes Dan, I see the same pattern of accusations that made me leave your blog to begin with. I continue to have some wonderful discussions with Christians who actually show Christ's love through their actions, and not just through words. You tell all of us you love us, but you sure don't act like it.

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

I am quite honored to tell you all that this post is now featured at http://de-conversion.com/2008/07/22/i-never-wan...

decafaholic · 1 year ago

Wow, this is my story except I did have negative experiences. I never wanted to be an atheist. I thought atheists were mean, angry people with no purpose in life! lol
Found out from experience that it's not like that.

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

Yep, I'm still waiting to meet the evil, hateful atheists I heard about when I was a Christian.

decafaholic · 1 year ago

Wow, this is my story except I did have negative experiences. I never wanted to be an atheist. I thought atheists were mean, angry people with no purpose in life! lol
Found out from experience that it's not like that.

Dan · 1 year ago

I wanted to apologize also. I never wanted your feeling to get hurt. I was trying to get you to engage in a conversation I had no idea you would never talk to me again forever. Forgive me please. I enjoyed our conversations. Now I just miss them.

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

Dan, first of all, thank you for the apology. My feelings were not hurt at all, but your statement that you thought I was lying meant that there was no point in continuing the conversation, because you had already judged me without even really knowing me.

ahermit · 1 year ago

"I just had to be honest about no longer believing."

That pretty much sums up my experience as well. What a relief it was, too...

Mike aka MonolithTMA · 1 year ago

Indeed!